Tindatine: 'I am stuck, I don't know what men want'

Mariam Namukasa, popularly known as Tindatine after her 2004 hit of the same title, has since been plunged under the radar of the ever vibrant Ugandan music industry, something that has gotten her music fans wondering whether she has turned into a shadow of her former self.  At a lunch meet with New Vision’s GLORIAS MUSIIME in Kampala recently, the 26-year-old singer speaks about her Kumbeihabeiha song, her love life and men.

What is the meaning behind your 2009 song Kumbeihabeiha?

I was in a relationship with a man whom I loved and he lied to me that he was single. I used to give him some money but instead he took other girls to hang out using my own money. When I discovered that, I realized then that he was married.

Have you ever been married?

I tried to, once, and it lasted for two years with a man who loved me but things did not work out as he had promised at first. But I was not surprised because that is how men sometimes behave.

So what exactly happened?

He told me to leave the music industry and sit home, which I declined to heed to, because it is from music that I earn a living. So we had to part ways peacefully.

Are you in a relationship?

I can say yes, but not really sure about it because my history with men was not good. Honestly, am scared about this [current relationship] too.

You were one time in love with Ambassador Ssali right?

Oops! Because we were in the same group and we used to move together, people thought so.

How about Tito Tongo, the Dinka tycoon?

[Laughs] He was my boss and he used to help me in difficult times. He has a hotel in Juba so when he was opening it, he called three musicians from Uganda and I was among. I had not released my song Yampamba (2011, her latest song) and he decided to sponsor it. Although people know him (Tongo) as a promiscuous man, there is nothing going on between me and him.

What do you think men like about you?

Of course my smile, even most of the men who dates me say so.

What was your worst moment in your relationships?

The day I was deceived and dumped.

How many men have you had since you joined the music industry?

Three men in three years – who were at least serious

What kind of a man do you wish to get?

He must be punctual and capable of satisfying me sexually to fill the gaps of all this time I have spent with no-one.

What do you dislike about men?

For the ones I have met, I have learnt that they are time wasters, liars and on top of that they fail to do what they were created for [the man’s role of provision].

What do you think you can do to keep a man?

I would sexually satisfy him, care for him as well respect him. All this I have tried before, in vain. My mind is stuck. I don’t know what men want